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On the Way Out

I was dismayed to see the Branford Public School system has elected to buy electric school buses ("Going Electric: BPS Awards $60M Transportation Contract," April 4). This seems a contrary move considering that electric vehicles (EV) have manifested such disturbing problems, i.e., electrical fires that resist being squelched, trouble with batteries that have been subjected to salt water, cost of repair, etc. Major car rental agencies have declined to buy more EVs because of low demand and greater associated costs; they are getting rid of the fleet. Last year in Hamden, an electric public bus burst into flames, which could not be extinguished until it was completely burned. Besides that, there is a better technology in the offing that will not require such environmentally challenging demands as do electric vehicles. I think Branford is getting in on the tail end of an industry that is justifiably on the way out.

Moira Hambleton

Branford